NICEVILLE

History

Located on the leeward side of Choctawhatchee Bay, Niceville and Valparaiso are part of a 16,000-acre tract of land purchased in 1901 by Allen Brown. The area, rich in timber, became home to several turpentine mills. It was granted a City Charter in 1921. After the property changed hands several times, it eventually was taken over by Chicago banker James E. Plew.

Turkey Creek Park

Using his business expertise, Plew opened the Valparaiso Inn, which became a vacation destination for the rich. He also provided 137 acres of land, at an annual rental of $1, to the City of Valparaiso for the construction of an airport.

An elementary school in Niceville now bears Plew’s name. His descendants still reside in the area and remain an integral part of the area's development and growth.

Today

Still at its original site, the Okaloosa County Regional Airport recently underwent a $43 million expansion project, replacing its previous 38,100 square foot terminal with a new terminal of more than 107,000 square feet. Currently the airport serves more than 520,000 passengers each year with direct flights to Atlanta, Houston, Memphis and Tampa.

The airport also became the cornerstone of Eglin Air Force Base. Together with an additional 340,000 acres of Forest Service land, Eglin AFB is now ranked as one of the world's largest military installations.

Away from the gulf beach crowds, the twin cities offer more sedate bayside parks and beaches. Visitors can enjoy golfing, fishing, boating, hiking and fine dining.

Niceville is home to Okaloosa-Walton College, home of the Raiders. Sports enthusiasts can get their choice of championship baseball, softball, and men’s and women’s basketball. OWC’s gymnasium boasts one of only two parquet floors in the southeast, second only to the NBA’s Orlando Magic. The College’s status as a community college was recently changed. The educational institute now offers four-year degree programs in Nursing, Bachelor of Applied Science in project and acquisitions management, and Bachelor of Arts in interdisciplinary humanities from The Arts Center, in addition to several associate degree programs.

Every October, Niceville also plays host to the Mullet Festival. The event is a three-day, music-filled, local seafood extravaganza. Headliners for previous festivals have included Charlie Daniels, Terri Clark, David Lee Murphy, Montgomery Gentry, Trick Pony, Tracy Lawrence, Dixie Chicks, Rascal Flats and Ricky Scaggs. Festivalgoers can feast on fried mullet, alligator, shark and an assorted menu of regional and ethnic favorites while enjoying some of the best country music in the country.

Weather

• Average yearly temperature: 78
• Hottest month: July and August – average high 91
• Coldest month: Jan. – average low 31
• Annual rainfall: 69.2 inches
• Monthly average rainfall: 5.8 inches
• Wettest month: July – 9.4 inches
• Driest month: Apr. 4.26 inches
• Record high temperature: July 1980 – 107
• Record low temperature: Jan. 1985 – 4
• Hurricane season runs from June 1 to Nov. 30 each year
• Major hurricanes (Category 3 and higher) that have struck the Northwest Gulf Coast of Florida in the past 154 years: 14

[As of 08/06/05 – source NOAA]

Demographics  (Niceville)

• Population (2000 census) - 11,684 full time residents
• Total Area – 11.3 square miles: 10.9 sq. miles land, 0.4 sq. miles water
• Per capita income - $20,175
• Median family income - $51,527
• Median age - 39
• Population ratio - (males: females) - 97:100
• Major industry - Air Force

Demographics (Valparaiso)

• Population (2000 census) – 6,408 full time residents
• Total Area – 12.8 square miles: 11.9 sq. miles land, .8 sq. miles water
• Per capita income - $19,934
• Median family income - $46,411
• Median age - 34
• Population ratio - (males: females) - 101:100
• Major industry – U.S. Air Force, airport

Local Directory

Schools (Elementary)           

• Bluewater     
• Edge
• Plew
• Valparaiso

Schools (Middle)       

• C.W. Ruckel
• Addie R. Lewis

Schools (High)          

• Niceville

Colleges       

• Okaloosa-Walton College

             
Law enforcement  

• 212 N. Partin Dr., Niceville  - (850) 729-4034
• 465 Valparaiso Pkwy., Valparaiso – (850) 729-5400

Post offices             

• 4400 East Highway 20 Ste 314, Niceville – (850) 897-5063
• 90 Palm Boulevard North, Niceville – (850) 678-2021
• 306 Edge Ave., Valparaiso – (850) 678-2921

Library                   

• 206 N. Partin Dr., Niceville – (850) 729-4070
• 459 Valparaiso Pkwy., Valparasio – (850) 729-5406

Fire station:           

• 102 Armstrong Ave., Niceville – (850) 729-4050
• 1709 27th St., Niceville – (850) 729-4060
• Whitepoint Road, Niceville – (850) 897-3689
• Valparaiso Pkwy., Valparaiso – (850) 729-5410

City Hall                

• 208 N. Partin Dr., Niceville – (850) 729-4008
• 465 Valparaiso Pkwy., Valparaiso – (850) 729-5402

Community Center         

• 204 N. Partin Dr., Niceville – (850) 642-5356

Chamber of Commerce    

• 1055 E. John Sims Pkwy., Niceville – (850) 678-2323

Airport                  

• Okaloosa County Regional Airport, Highway 85 – commercial flights include ASA Delta Connection, Continental Express Jet, Delta, Gulfstream International and Northwest Airlines
  
  

For Things to Do in Niceville, click here